Ronnie Navarro, left, comforts Arlene Briere, during a meeting to discuss their stories of unemployment with Senator Chris Murphy at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Ronnie Navarro, left, comforts Arlene Briere, during a meeting to discuss their stories of unemployment with Senator Chris Murphy at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Photo: Unknown, B.K. Angeletti

Image 2 of 5

Desiree Smith, of Bridgeport, shares her story of unemployment and trying to find employment with Senator Chris Murphy at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Desiree Smith, of Bridgeport, shares her story of unemployment and trying to find employment with Senator Chris Murphy at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Photo: Unknown, B.K. Angeletti

Image 3 of 5

Joseph Carbone, The WorkPlace president and CEO, talks with Senator Chris Murphy about the urgent need to extend unemployment insurance benefits at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Joseph Carbone, The WorkPlace president and CEO, talks with Senator Chris Murphy about the urgent need to extend unemployment insurance benefits at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Photo: Unknown, B.K. Angeletti

Image 4 of 5

Deborah Morse, of Milford, shares her story of unemployment and trying to find employment with Senator Chris Murphy at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Deborah Morse, of Milford, shares her story of unemployment and trying to find employment with Senator Chris Murphy at the WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Photo: Unknown, B.K. Angeletti

Image 5 of 5

Long-term unemployed could be out in the cold

1 / 5

Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT -- Numbers don't lie, but they don't always tell the whole story either, clients of a job assistance program were told Monday.

Unemployment figures are down nationally, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said, while the numbers of homeless and people needing help with fuel bills in Connecticut are up. The number of people in lower Fairfield County receiving food stamps has doubled since 2007.

"The economy is supposed to be in recovery, but I still see a lot of pain out there," Murphy said during a discussion at The WorkPlace.

When the latest benefits extension runs out Saturday, only 25 percent of those unemployed nationally will be receiving benefits, Murphy said during the discussion. "That's the lowest level in 50 years, and it is unfair. This is a system that you've been paying into for years, and now you need it."

The clients, all of whom have been out of work for a year or more and several who are participating in the agency's Platform to Employment program, described having to decide which bills to pay, or whether to buy food or pay the rent.

"It's tough to go out and look for a job when you can't afford to put gas in the car," said Eli Ramirez, of Bridgeport. "I've been out a year, exhausted everything, and I'm living off my fiancee's wages. I've got five kids to feed.''

Arlene Biere, of Ansonia, broke down and cried when she told her story, and several at the conference table reached out to comfort her. Biere said her last full-time job was several years ago, with a Derby medical supply company, and after some temp work she has been jobless for more than a year. "You keep hearing `you're overqualified.' They can't say `you're too old.' ''

Most of the clients said they have encountered age discrimination, although it is officially illegal, and that a system that requires online applications instead of dropping off resumes in person works against them.

"I'm 55; does that mean I'm a dinosaur who can't work anymore?'' asked Ron Navarro, of Bridgeport. "I can't tell you how many interviews I've been on or how stressful this is."

Joan Gordon, of Norwalk, said as a single parent, she needs to find a job before her benefits run out.

"I'll take a filing job, sweeping floors, anything."

Murphy said he has submitted legislation to extend unemployment benefits for three months. That will keep people's heads above water financially while a longer-term solution can be negotiated, he said.